The Best Gold Coins to Buy for Investment

Endeavor Metals stocks the world’s top gold coins, so you can find the one that’s right for you. We take pride in our extensive inventory, and work hard to keep our prices highly competitive.

While all gold bullion coins are similar, there are some distinctions to keep in mind, such as design, size, purity, liquidity, reputation, and collectibility, as well as your personal preferences and goals.

Which gold coins are ideal for investment purposes? Below, we’ll list the best gold coins to buy for investment to help you make informed decisions.

Bullion Coins vs. Numismatics

There are two main types of gold coins: investment-grade gold bullion coins and gold numismatics. Both offer their own unique benefits, but we recommend learning how to find numismatic coin value before investing in rare coins.

In this blog post, we’re only covering the best gold coins for investments that focus on gold ownership. Numismatics are collectibles that are valued beyond their intrinsic gold content, so they’re in an investment class of their own.

Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular gold bullion coins for investors.

American Gold Eagle

First introduced in 1986, the American Gold Eagle is an iconic piece of American history. It comes in four sizes—¹⁄₁₀ oz, ¹⁄₄ oz, ¹⁄₂ oz, and 1 oz.

Because American Gold Eagles are so beloved, they offer exceptional liquidity—these top gold coins are the world’s most frequently traded. When considering the best gold coins for investment purposes, it’s wise to think long-term and have an exit plan, even if you don’t plan on selling anytime soon.

Besides being a prestigious coin that’s easy to sell at any given moment, American Gold Eagles are beautiful works of art, boasting a stunning design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The obverse depicts Lady Liberty, and the reverse has a portrait of an eagle.

The American Gold Eagle is the official gold bullion coin of the United States and is guaranteed by the U.S. Mint to be made from 91.67% (22-karat) gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper.

American Gold Buffalo

One of the best gold coins for investment portfolios, American Gold Buffalos are a superb option for those who appreciate old American coinage. This modern classic pays worthy tribute to the past.

The design by James Earl Fraser originated from the classic 1913 Buffalo Nickel. It features the portrait of a Native American chief on the obverse and a buffalo on the reverse.

Fun Fact: Fraser’s buffalo design was actually inspired by an American bison named Black Diamond, who lived at the Central Park Zoo in New York.

With a fineness of .9999 (four nines fine or 99.99% pure gold), the American Gold Buffalo is one of the top gold coins for those who prefer to own the purest gold possible.

Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

No list of the best gold coins for investment purposes would be complete without the illustrious Canadian Gold Maple Leaf. Like the American Gold Buffalo, this coin is made from 99.99% pure gold.

Because they’re available in quite a few fractional sizes—1 gram, ¹⁄₂₀ oz, ¹⁄₁₀ oz, ¹⁄₄ oz, ¹⁄₂ oz, and 1 oz—Canadian Gold Maple Leafs are quite popular among investors who prefer buying gold in smaller increments.

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is an excellent choice for investors who appreciate the history of gold bullion coins. It was the second modern, investment-grade bullion coin released, following only the South African Krugerrand.

Canadian Maple Leafs are also among the best gold coins for investments because of their outstanding security features. The Royal Canadian Mint is known for its exclusive Bullion DNA anti-counterfeiting technology. Of course, you don’t have to worry about authenticity if you order yours from a reputable precious metals dealer.

South African Krugerrand

The coin that started it all in 1967, the South African Krugerrand remains one of the most well-known and frequently traded gold bullion coins in the world.

An instantly recognizable coin, the Krugerrand contains 91.67% (22-karat) gold. However, it differs from other gold coins in that the remaining 8.33% consists only of copper. This unique composition gives the Krugerrand its signature reddish-orange glow.

Chinese Gold Panda

Chinese Gold Pandas are among the best gold coins for investments and collections alike. People love collecting each year’s new design with adorable pandas in different poses and settings. If design is an important factor to you, these artistic coins are sure to please.

The Chinese Gold Panda is another one of the top gold coins for smaller-scale investors due to its wide range of fractional sizes: ¹⁄₂₀ oz, ¹⁄₁₀ oz, ¹⁄₄ oz, ¹⁄₂ oz, and 1 oz.

Austrian Gold Philharmonic

Like the Chinese Gold Panda, the Austrian Gold Philharmonic is another coin that’s very appealing to investors and collectors who enjoy beautiful coin designs.

The Austrian Gold Philharmonic made its grand debut in 1989, celebrating the prestigious Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Besides being one of the best gold coins for investment portfolios, it’s a wonderful choice for musicians and music aficionados.

The obverse features imagery of the pipe organ found at the Musikverein's Golden Hall. The reverse depicts instruments used by the orchestra: a cello surrounded by four violins, a harp, a bassoon, and a Vienna horn.

Explore More Gold Bullion Coins

We’ve only scratched the surface! We invite you to browse all our gold coins to find the one that aligns with your tastes and requirements. We also offer a wide range of gold bars for those who prefer that format.

For expert assistance selecting the best gold coins for your investment portfolio, please contact us for a free consultation with one of our qualified precious metals specialists. Endeavor Metals has over 50 years of experience and is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the Industry Council for Tangible Assets and the Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC).

Whether you’re buying gold as an inflation hedge or starting a coin collection, Endeavor Metals can assist you in acquiring the world’s top gold coins. We provide a 7-day, 100% money-back guarantee, even if the gold market has a downturn. Diversify into a time-tested store of value today!